Ladies and gentlemen, for the final time during the 2023-24 regular season, it is Teaser Time!
Week 18 NFL odds can be difficult to navigate, so if you decide to bet, bet with caution because you’re at risk of getting burned. Even as I write this article on Friday afternoon, I’m sure we’ll see some significant line moves between now and these games kicking off as more big-time players are officially announced as inactive.
One mistake you shouldn’t make with your NFL Week 18 predictions, whether they be teaser bets or otherwise, is to assume specific teams and players aren’t motivated because they have nothing to play for. Even with backups seeing significant minutes this week, don’t you think those players are eager to make an impression to possibly boost their stock in free agency, or maybe see some extra snaps come playoff time?
Don’t forget all the Houston Texans needed to do was lose to secure the number one overall draft pick in the final week last season, but Lovie Smith was in no mood to tank and led his team to a worthless Week 18 win that could have severely burned his team had the Panthers been wise enough to draft CJ Stroud. Smith, of course, was rewarded for the win by promptly being fired. The lesson here is to assume nothing when sifting through the Week 18 odds and to think long and hard before accepting a job with the Houston Texans organization.
At the end of the day, these are still professional athletes and coaches at the top of their professions. Both are hyper-competitive, so don’t get in trouble by playing the “are they or aren’t the motivated” game.
Anyway, no more lecturing from me. Let’s get into my favorite Week 18 NFL picks.
